We had 4 fabulous dance's at Mounties Bowling Club, and I want to say a special thank you to everybody which has helped us raise over $29,000 at Heaven Social Dance for The Haven and Acon . With that said I'm proud to announce that we been very lucky to lock in dates for 2018 at Mounties Bowling Club - Fairfield on the first Saturday of every second month starting on February 3rd 2018, A special thank you to the Mounties Group & LayDee KinMee for their support and understanding throughout this process , as most people are aware a lot of things have changed and we need to keep up with the changes and we hope everyone will continue to support us at Mounties Bowling Club and help us provide a safe place for the LGBTQI community and for the local Drag Kings/Queens to have somewhere to perform with some exciting things planned for 2018...

EQUALITY = Now that the same-sex marriage plebiscite has been defeated, it all comes down to a non-compulsory postal vote. Ballot papers are expected to be sent from September 12 and voters will have until November 7 to send back their votes. A result will be declared on November 15. Unlike with regular voting, you are not legally required to vote unless you want to. To make sure your opinion on the matter is heard, it's important that you're properly registered. Now's the time to check that you're enrolled to vote and your details are up to date. If you're 17 with an upcoming birthday, you can enrol now and be eligible to vote. Appropriate proof of identity is necessary (such as a passport or driver's license).... www.aec.gov.au/enrol

Richard's Got Talent #3 Have you got what it takes to be Richards on the Park's next drag superstar?? Well it all started on Friday the 11Aug and then will run every second Friday 25Aug, 08Sep, 22Sep, 13Oct, 27Oct, 10Nov with the Grand Final on Friday 24Nov with 12 contestants competing over 4 months to take home $1000 + 6 Month residency at Showtime . Who said there's nothing exciting happening in western Sydney???? Don’t forget 'Showtime' is still running on the third Saturday of the month , That's this Saturday 19Aug from 9pm-3am with Danger Delray & Conchita Grande and its totally FREE.. www.richardsonthepark.com.au

SANDYOKE Karaoke with twist and a limp wrist from 9pm on last Saturday of each month with Miss Sandy Bottom (26Aug , 30Sep) at Bankstown Hotel , 102 Bankstown City Plaza , Bankstown n.s.w 2200

WOW somebody nominated me for " Australian LGBT Awards " A big thank you to whoever nominated me , Now I have to just write about myself is it possible to do 300 to 500 words how do I fit it all ln lol ... Last year they launched the Australian LGBTI Awards at the Sydney Opera House with over 300 guests attending the GALA dinner and many high profile individuals showing their support and receiving acknowledgment through their work within the LGBTI space. The Awards are also labelled "The Gay Oscars" with red carpet appearance by The Veronika's, Lucy Lawless, Molly Meldrum, Samuel Johnson, Danielle Cormack and many more . The main agenda of the event is to work with our Allies in the Corporate world and the entertainment industry to have our message of equality endorsed and to reach a wider audience to achieve acceptance . The media personalities attract main stream press attention which not only helps in our quest for equality but provides businesses and corporation a platform to align their brand with the message of equality. The process is as follows: Nominations: are open now to the public. We are receiving thousands of nominations across our 16 categories as we speak . The nominations are public and at this stage we simply let organisations and Nominees know about that they have been nominated. The Nominee can decline or accept the nomination - if accepting we require a 500 word synopsis on the company including and highlighting any work that has been done on LGBTI inclusion . Once all Profiles been received - we will create a shortlist (The Top 10) based on numbers of nominations received and the profile submission received . The shortlist will then be announced beginning of October - and public voting will start - with the winner announced at the GALA dinner - Friday 2nd March 2018 . www.australianlgbtiawards.com.au

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT IN PURPLE Wear it Purple Day is coming, what are you planning for 25 August this year to show support for rainbow young people? Make sure you get your Wear it Purple Day event registered! Head on over to www.wearitpurple.org to access the 2017 resources!

Queer Radio Sydney 89.3fm every Monday Night from 22:00 - 24:00 - supporting the LGBTQI community on the radio and on the Internet www.893fm.com.au with different presenters every week including: Myself, Nikki Facchin, Fifi Fo'Fum, Pandora Box, Kitty Puss & Jeremy Smith and special monthly interviews from Gavin Prendergast from ACON and a whole lot of fun, music and gossip. What more could you ask for on a Monday night

DRAG GOSSIP: Tensions are brewing at a long running social event 2 popular queens who have been on the scene for a while are locking heads to such extremes that one of them walked out screaming and won’t return…. Who are these 2 queens gorgeous? Well let's just say that sometimes swallowing causes damage….

Sizzle sizzle sizzle. Oh yes Western Sydney, it might be cold outside but the venues are getting hot with events all over the place. For Drags To Bitches they are selling out shows all across Western Sydney and so many other shows coming up which even includes a trip to New Zealand, it's going to be crazy and stressful buy they are professional and work so hard and deserve all the rewards they are reaping.

I'm so excited that there is so much happening in Western Sydney during winter - the next few weeks are going to be crazy! " Drags to Bitches " presents Drag Out The Christmas Tree (Christmas in July ) at St Johns Park Bowling Club on Friday 21th July and also on Saturday 22nd July at East Cessnock Bowling Club. The show is $18.00 Show onlyfeaturing some of Western Sydney's most successful drag queens ; LayDee KinMee , Ru Bella , Ophelia Shaft , Marilyn Mootrub , April Fools , Crystal Ball, Maureen A’Moans and dancing boys Thomas Peisley, Graham Llewellyn, Tim Wright and Justin Hitchcock. Don’t miss your chance to catch this fabulous show as there are very limited tickets left.

With the growing amount of acceptance also comes change with a lot of LGBTQ venues either closing down or don't exist anymore. We no longer need to travel into the city for a safe refuge as our local pub and clubs are no so accepting and we can hang out with all of our friends both gay and straight and in venues much closer to home, and Western Sydney is BOOMING at the moment with drag trivia’s and bingos popping up everywhere. Portia Turbo is the head queen at the ever popular and expanding TURBO TRIVIA and writes up a fabulous variety of questions and games each week for you to enjoy. You ain't never seen trivia quite like this. It's Free to play and all the venues have excellent kitchens, so bring your friends for a fun and inexpensive night out.

For those of you who like your bingo fix, there are a few options: Turbo Bingle Balls (Drag Bingo) Every Tuesday Night from 7pm at Overlander Hotel Motel (Cambridge Gardens/Penrith Area )With April Fools or there is “Naughty Numbers - BINGOwith a Twist” on the second Friday of every month at Campbelltown RSL from (14 JULY/11 AUG/8 SEPT ) from 7pm With LayDee KinMee.

Also going very well out west is Heaven Social Dance…..WOW ... Over the years, Heaven has raised more than $21,000 for charity since first starting in 2007 and Kaleidoscope Social Dance also raised $7,863 in its 4 years of running = THATS A combined TOTAL OF $29,076 (as of June 2017) for the Western Suburbs Haven Inc and ACON , both registered charities doing great work in the western suburbs. Hopefully we can get that figure up and over $30,000 this year with your support, so please come along and support us at HEAVEN SOCIAL DANCE. Our next dance is on 05AUG at Mounties Bowling Club , Cnr Ulverstone st & Lawson st Fairfield From 6pm -12 , Entry $10 , Shows at 9:30pm & 10:30pm With PopUp Drag Pop on stage with Cash prizes for our top 3 performers. Hosted By Penny Clifford + S/Guest Jace Pearson

Richard's Got Talent #3 Have you got what it takes to be Richards on the Park's next drag superstar?? Starting on Friday the 11Aug and then every second Friday 25Aug, 08Sep, 22Sep, 13Oct, 27Oct, 10Nov with the Grand Final on Friday 24Nov with (TBC) contestants competing over 4 months to take home $1000 + 6 Month residency at Showtime . Who said there's nothing exciting happening in western Sydney???? Don’t forget 'Showtime' is still running on the third Saturday of the month , That's this Saturday 15July from 9pm-3am and totally FREE.. www.richardsonthepark.com.au

DRAG GOSSIP: With the Shift closing, what will happen to all the fabulous showgirls? Who is giving up forever, who has moved in with the illegal refugees in Villawood, who has considered returning to their formal porn career, who is moving to Byron Bay and who is considering a career change? Only time will tell gorgerous. …In other drag news what award winning western Sydney drag queen will soon have her day in court and rumour has it is trying to be the new face of weight watchers for 2018? lol I'll never be 85kg again but will she ??? Just keep that gossip coming in, drop me an inbox or an Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I love to hear about what's going on!

A woman has been arrested over a glassing attack on another woman at the popular inner Sydney social dance.

The attack happened when an older woman smashed a champagne bottle over the head of a younger woman at the Polly's Social Dance.

The organisers of the event rushed to the aid of the victim and this is their official statement.

"A shocking and traumatic incident occurred at our Farmer Wants A Drag Queen event last Saturday night, where one patron allegedly struck another patron over the head with a champagne bottle.

We acted quickly to provide first aid and support to the victim and immediately contacted emergency services. The perpetrator fled the venue but one of our security staff tailed the individual which assisted police in apprehending them.

We provide a safe space including ensuring we have security guards and first aid officers in place. This is the first incident of its kind that we know of in the 53 years of the club's operations. In accordance with our zero-tolerance policy towards violence of any kind, the perpetrator has been banned from our events for life.

We would like to thank the emergency services for their rapid, professional and thorough response and we are pleased to report that the victim is recovering well."

The Pride in London Parade will tomorrow be officially launched by members of the emergency services in honour of their commitment and bravery in recent tragic events.

London's Fire and Rescue service, the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance service have all nominated LGBT+ colleagues to officially open the Pride in London Parade this Saturday 8 July at 1pm. Those LGBT+ colleagues who were involved in the recent Grenfell Tower fire tragedy, the London Bridge terror attack and the Westminster terror attack will be joined by the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Ian Adams, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, members of the volunteer run Pride in London board and flagbearers showing flags from countries around the world - in particular the 72 countries where it’s still illegal to be LGBT+. They include:

Acting Inspector Natasha Walker who works as a community Inspector in Tower Hamlets. She has been a police officer for 16 years and is currently assisting with police community liaison after the Grenfell fire.

Jules Lockett, Head of Control Services Training for London Ambulance who supported the control room staff and attended in a support role at Grenfell.

Group Manager Norman Perry who representing the London Fire Brigade. He is a group manager and interagency liaison officer and was heavily involved with the London Fire Brigade response at several of the recent major incidents.

Marking 50 years since Parliament first voted to partially legalise homosexuality in the UK, which applied to England and Wales only, Pride in London will be marching with a global message of hope, acceptance, activism and love and in a show of solidarity to LGBT+ people living in Northern Ireland which has yet to legalise same sex marriage. The theme Love Happens Here is a much needed antidote to hate and the Parade will be a protest against hate. A recent hate crime report showed nearly half of LGBT+ people in London say they’ve experienced hate crime compared with a national figure of 18%.

With over 330 groups including around 80 floats, the Pride in London Parade is set to be the biggest and most colourful yet as it shuts down Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street. An estimated 26,500 people are due to take part in the Parade and there is expected to be 1 million people attending Pride, making it London's largest single day outdoor event. Over 60% of parade groups are non-profit and community groups with others including LGBT+ employee networks, religious and political groups, trade unions and musical and sporting organisations.

The Parade will be the pinnacle of what is believed to the be the world’s largest Pride Festival – with well over 100 events since Saturday 24 June, and will officially close on Sunday 9 July, where awards for best new group, best walking group and best float amongst others will be announced at Pride in the Park with UK Black Pride at 4:15pm on Sunday in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death of Graham Carbery, teacher, activist, VFL senior umpire, and archivist and historian for the gay and lesbian community. While Graham was an important gay liberation and law reform activist from 1972 onward, most notably with groups such as the Gay Teachers and Students Group and the Homosexual Law Reform Coalition, his legacy is the extent and longevity of the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives, which he founded and committed much of his life to for the past 40 years. Graham is survived by his partner of 45 years Gary Jaynes, and our thoughts and love are with him, his family and friends.

From selfies to Boomerangs, now you can be even more fun and playful when you respond to friends.

To reply with a photo or a video, tap the new camera button while you’re watching a story.

You can use any creative tools in the camera, including face filters, stickers and Rewind.

Replies also include a sticker of the story that you can move around and resize.

When a friend replies to your story with a photo or a video, you’ll see it in your inbox.

You can tap to view it and also see a sticker of the original story that’s only visible to you. As with disappearing photos and videos in Direct, your friends will know when you’ve taken a screenshot or replayed a reply.

Germany's lower chamber of Parliament, the Bundstag, approved a measure by a vote of 393 to 226 to legalize same-sex marriage.

The vote came suddenly after Chancellor Angela Merkel softened her stance on the issue to allow a legislator's to "vote their conscience" on this last day of the country's legislative session.

Merkel herself voted against the measure, saying after the vote, "For me and the basic law, it’s about the marriage of a woman and a man. That’s why I voted against it. I hope that the vote today shows not only the mutual respect for different opinions but that this also leads to more peace and social cohesion as well.”

New educational posters are being distributed across the state to every NSW Police Force command to assist officers better understand transgender and gender diversity terms, including how to respectfully address people. Thanks to The Gender Centre and Twenty10 staff for helping us update our existing poster.

The Gender Centre and Sydney's Twenty10 organisations assisted the Police with the update to the posters.

The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) welcomes the decision by the Commonwealth to approve the Network for accreditation as a Commonwealth organisation.

As a result of this landmark decision, TCEN is now the first and only LGBTI-focused organisation to be officially accredited by the Commonwealth.

Accreditation means that TCEN activists will benefit from increased access to, participation in and information about Commonwealth matters. It also sends a strong signal that the voices and needs of LGBTI people are legitimate and LGBTI activists have a vital role in civil society.

Established in 2013, TCEN is a diverse network of 38 civil society organisations in 39 countries working to challenge inequality and end discrimination against LGBTI people in the Commonwealth. The majority of TCEN members originate in low- and middle-income countries in the Global South. The Government of Canada has welcomed the Network’s accreditation, noting that TCEN “has challenged discrimination and countered homophobia and transphobia around the world—and today it represents a diversity of civil society organizations within the 52 member nations of the Commonwealth. This step will ensure that LGBTQ2 rights are an ever more important priority for the Commonwealth.”

TCEN is greatly encouraged by accreditation.

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Chair of TCEN and Executive Director of EQUAL GROUND – SRI LANKA, said: “Considering the process it takes, it is a small wonder and a great victory for TCEN to have been given accreditation as a Commonwealth organisation. I am certain TCEN can make great inroads into gaining LGBTI rights in the Commonwealth. I look forward to the day when all countries within the Commonwealth adhere to the principles of human rights and equality enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, safeguarding LGBTI rights and upholding freedom and equality for all.”

Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM) and the winner of the 2017 David Kato Vision and Voice Award, whose successful lawsuit ended in Belize’s anti-homosexuality being law struck down in 2016, said: “Finally, Commonwealth governments have acknowledged that their LGBTI citizens’ dignity and rights are a part of democratic principles that should be at the policy table. As a citizen of the Commonwealth, it gives me hope that states will not leave totally the defence of rights to be the burden, alone, of individuals.”

Paul Dillane, Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, a London-based Network member and host of the TCEN Secretariat, said: “Let us be clear about the scale of the challenge: 36 countries in the Commonwealth continue to criminalise consensual same-sex acts and in many others LGBTI people experience discrimination and violence.

TCEN provides an important platform for activists around the world to organise and collaborate in the struggle for equality and freedom. This decision provides TCEN with a vital opportunity to put the human rights of LGBTI people on the agenda.”

In 2015, a group of TCEN members participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, where a Barbadian activist became the first person to address Commonwealth foreign ministers on the lived reality of its LGBTI citizens. Such activism is resulting in the emergence of progressive policy; research on LGBTI rights in the Commonwealth shows how Commonwealth governments have made progress on LGBTI rights and presents best practice that other governments can learn from.

TCEN will harness the momentum accreditation gives to continue the struggle for the dignity, equality and basic freedoms of all LGBTI people throughout the Commonwealth, particularly during next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit hosted by the UK in April 2018.